Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicological Studies

Number 2,2, 2014

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Dengue Fever as a Continuing Threat in Tropical and Subtropical Regions around the World and Strategy for Its Control and Prevention

Authors: Muhammad Sarwar

Abstract

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Number of views: 426

Dengue fever also known as break-bone fever has emerged as a worldwide problem afflicting millions of people each year in tropical and subtropical regions.Dengue viral infection is transmitted by the bite of an infected female Aedes mosquito and the symptoms appear on anaverage of 4-7 days after an infective bite of vector.The dengue virus of the genus Flavivirus,is a tiny spherical structure that can only replicate inside a host organism and comprising four types of viruses called serotypes due to different interactions with the antibodies in human blood serum.The present paper highlights the approaches having the potential to greatly reduce the global burden of this disease that solely depends on adoption of effective control measures, and its prevention and control.Urbanization, rapid movement of peoples and goods, favorable climatic conditions and lack of trained staff all have contributed to the global increase of dengue.Typical dengue is fatal in less than 1% of case,and for helping in its recovery, healthcare experts recommend to take medicine to reduce fever.Dengue controlstrategy supports an integrated approach to sustain control measures, vector management and coordinated action among multi-sectoral partners at all levels. Its leading rule is to synchronize prevention, entomological and epidemiological surveillances, and case management within existing health systems, making sure that efforts to control disease are coherent, ecologically sound, cost-effective and sustainable

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Antidiarrhoeal Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Unripe fruit of Aegle Marmelos (Bael) in Mice

Authors: Manjunath V Jal

Abstract

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Number of views: 379

This present study was undertaken to investigate antidiarrhoeal activity of ethanolic extract of unripe fruit of Aegle marmelos(EEAM) in castor oil, prostaglandin E2(PGE2), 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and carbachol induced diarrhoea in mice. The higher dose of EEAM (800mg/kg) completely prevented the diarrhoea whereas the lower doses (200 and 400mg/kg) significantly increased the time of induction of diarrhea,decreased the number and weight of wet faeces in castor oil induced diarrhoea. The higher doses of EEAM (400 and 800 mg/kg) significantly increased time of induction of diarrhoea, decreased the number and weight of wet faeces in PGE2,5-HT and carbachol induced diarrhoea, whereas lower doses had no effect on these parameters

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Effect of Pyrazinamide induced Hyperuricemia on Patient Compliance undergoing DOTS Therapy for Tuberculosis

Authors: Hanumantharayappa B

Abstract

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Hyperuricemia, with or without arthralgia, is the main adverse effects of pyrazinamide, a first line anti-TB drug. Hyperuricemia may lead to non-compliance to therapy, monitoring of uric acid and symptoms of arthralgia are necessary for patient compliance. A prospective open study was conducted on patients diagnosed with TB and were initiated with intensive phase of anti-tubercular treatment. Blood was withdrawn at 0, 2, and at 8thweek to estimate serum uric acid level. Arthralgia was assessed and recorded during the same period. Uric acid levels were increased by the end of 2nd week. The observed mean serum uric acid at 0th week was 5.1 mg/dl which increased to 6.8 mg/dl and 6.6 mg/dl at 2Nd and 8thweek, respectively. 48.72% patients showed 25-50% increase in the uric acid level. 41.02% patients showed an increase in serum uric acid level beyond normal range (>7 mg/dl) and increased uric acid levels in 41.02% patients from 2ndand 8thweek was non-significant. Despite an increase in serum uric acid levels beyond the normal range, arthralgia was not seen in TB patients who were on DOTS. thus, it is concluded that thrice weekly regimen of pyrazinamide is safe and effective therapy for treatment of TB.

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Effect of Portulaca quadrifida Linn on Mercury-Induced Hepatotoxicity In Swiss Albino Mice

Authors: Manivannan Ekambaram

Abstract

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Number of views: 393

Portulaca quadrifida Linn. has been evaluated for its hepatoprotective activity in Swiss albino mice using the mercury induced hepatotoxicity.The ethanolic extract showed remarkable activity against mercury-induced hepatotoxicity as judged from biochemical parameters such as serum aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and levels of lipid peroxides (LPO) in liver. Animals treated with P. quadrifida extract before and after mercury intoxication showed a significant decrease in LPO level, AST and ALT activities and increase in ALP activity and glutathione (GSH) content.The extract treatment alone did not alter the biochemical parameters. The results suggest that oral administration of P. quadrifida provide protection against mercury induced toxicity in Swiss albino mice, but it was dose dependent, which was comparable to the control

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Hair Growth-Promoting Activity of Herbal Hair Gel Containing Brassica Oleracea Extracts

Authors: Sridevi G

Abstract

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Number of views: 402

Brassica oleracea,cabbage Name from French,caboche meaning head,grows well in cool climates. It has been used in salads, vegetable. In the titled research pet.ether and aqueous extract of B. oleracea was initially tested for the type of phytoconstitutents and then the extract was standardized for the marker compound. Animal studies were carried out by application of standardized extract to the shaved dorsal skin of albino rats. Histomorphometric analysis was employed to study induction of the hair follicle cycle. To determine the effect of extract on the telogen to anagen transition, the protein expression levels of β-catenin and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) in hair follicles were determined by immunohistochemistry. We observed that pet.ether B. oleracea extract promoted hair growth by inducing the anagen phase Specificallythe histomorphometric analysis data indicates that topical application of the extract in gel form induced an earlier anagen phase and prolonged the mature anagen phase, in contrast to control and 1% minoxidil treated group. Results also exposed the increase in both the numbers and size of hair follicles of the extracttreated group. Moreover, the immunohistochemical analysis reveals earlier induction of β-catenin and Shh proteins in hair follicles of the extract-treated group, compared to the control or 1% minoxidil-treated group.

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A Randomized, Prospective Study to Compare the Efficacy and Tolerability of S-Amlodipine 2.5mg versus Racemic Amlodipine 5mg in Mild to Moderate Hypertension

Authors: Padmavathi T

Abstract

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Number of views: 420

To compare the efficacy and tolerability of S-Amlodipine 2.5mg with racemicamlodipine 5mg in mild to moderate hypertension.108 newly diagnosed patients with mild to moderate hypertension were enrolled.After randomization,54 patientswere assigned to receive S-Amlodipine 2.5mg and 54 patients to receive racemicamlodipine 5mg once daily for 12 weeks. Blood pressure,heart rate,ankle circumference and other adverse reactions were monitored every 2 weeks. Fifty patients in each group completed the study.The results were analyzed by Students t’ test. At 2 & 6 weeks, Ramlodipine group showed a better efficacy in reducing both systolic and diastolic B.P (p=0.0001). At 12 weeks, both the study groups showed an equivalent efficacy in reducing the mean systolic (32.410.8; 29.6±9.0)and diastolic (13.45.9; 12.0±9.9) blood pressures (p=0.16 & 0.38). There was a significant increase in the mean ankle circumference in the Racemic amlodipine group comparedto S-amlodipine group at 2, 6 & 12 weeks (p<0.05). There was no statistically significantchange in renal & liverfunction tests.S-amlodipine 2.5 mg is found to be equivalent in efficacy and better in tolerability compared to Racemic amlodipine in mild to moderate hypertension at 12weeks.Racemic amlodipine proves to be more potent than s-amlodipine in reducing blood pressure.

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Comparative Anxiolytic Activity of Petroleum Extract of Valeriana jatamansi f rom Different Accessions in Mice.

Authors: Anant V Bhandarkar

Abstract

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Number of views: 384

Valeriana jatamansi Jones.,(Family-valerianaceae) is a perennial herb or under shrub with a short, often strong smelling root stock. It is widely distributed in the temperate and cold regions of North West himalaya to Bhutan at altitude of 1200-3000m. The objective of the study was to test the anxiolytic effect of Valeriana jatamansi Jones.,grown in India and Pakistan. Petroleum ether extract of both accessions were evaluated using ambulatory activity, elevated plus maze, spontaneous locomotor activity, motor coordination activity and sodium thiopental induced sleep in mice at dose of 75, 150 and 300 mg/ kg. Both the extract produced significant and dose dependent activity in the ambulatory and elevated plus maze test.The spontaneous locomotor activity count, measured using an actophotometer, was significantly decreased in animals at 120 min after administration of extract in both accessions. None of the extracts produced skeletal muscle relaxant effect assessed by rotarod test. Both extract produced a significant and dose dependent lengthening in the time of sodium thiopental sleep with the Pakistan valerian extract being more potent than Indian valerian.Thus we may conclude that, Pakistan valerian possess high anxiolytic potentials than Indian valerian

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Clinical Case Follow Up Study : A Method o f Teaching Clinical Pharmacology t o t he MBBS Students .

Authors: Mirza Atif Beg

Abstract

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Number of views: 404

To impart clinical pharmacology knowledge to the MBBS 2nd professional students and to improve the quality of students by giving adequate knowledge in rational prescribing. A total no of 150 cases were followed up by the undergraduate students during 2nd professional MBBS in the department of pharmacology at SGR RIM &HS, Dehradun from June 2012 to November 2012.Patients were analyzed on various parameters using WHO drug used indicators and National List of Essential Medicines. A total of 150 cases were evaluated .115(76.66%) were males and 35(23.34%) were females, majority patients 124(82.66%) were 16-45 years of age. Morbidity pattern was observed as infectious diseases 100 (66.66%) and non-infectious 50 (33.34%) respectively. Amongst infectious diseases, fever 40 (40%), acute gastroenteritis 27 (27%), tuberculosis 11(11%) and urinary tract infection 9 (9%) were most frequently observed, and non-infectious diseases were epilepsy 11(22%), hypertension 7(14%) and gastro-esophageal reflux disease 7(14%) respectively. A total of 491 drugs were prescribed, 433 (88.18%) were oral, 58(11.82%) injectable formulations were used.145 (96.66%) patients were prescribed more than one drug.29 FDCs were used. 3.45 drugs and 3.00 drugs per prescription were prescribed for infectious and non-infectious disease respectively. Antibiotics 189 (38.49%), NSAIDs 78 (15.88%), antiepileptics 19(3.86%) and antihypertensive 18(3.66%) were most commonly prescribed. Clinical case follow up study can be introduced as a tool for imparting knowledge of clinical pharmacology to undergraduate MBBS students.